Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. Prompt and accurate diagnosis ensures critical timely treatment options.

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body. Four main types of lupus exist — systemic lupus erythematosus, discoid lupus erythematosus, drug-induced lupus erythematosus, and neonatal lupus erythematosus. Of these, systemic lupus erythematosus is the most common and serious form of lupus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus, often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease (or autoimmune connective tissue disease). With SLE your immune system cannot tell good proteins (antibodies) from foreign elements like germs, bacteria and viruses, so the immune system creates autoantibodies that attack the body's healthy cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation, pain and tissue damage.

Systemic lupus can be mild or severe. Symptoms of lupus can affect many different body systems, including joints, skin, kidneys, blood cells, heart, and lungs. The course of the disease is unpredictable, with periods of illness (called flares) alternating with periods of remission. The disease occurs nine times more often in women than in men, especially in women in child-bearing years ages 15 to 35, and is also more common in those of non-European descent. Lupus is not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another.

SLE is treatable, but there is currently no cure. However, the key to maintaining a good quality of life with lupus is early diagnosis and proper treatment before harmful damage to the body is done as the result of flares. This is why proper and early diagnosis is critical and where Avise SLE can help. If you suspect you might have lupus consult your physician immediately.